Ask the average person in the street what they think of the Bible and many would say it is unscientific - old fashioned, outdated, full of myths and superstitions and contradictions.

In some ways, you can't blame them, because the Church has created this impression in the past.

For example, when Galileo and other astronomers discovered the earth was not stationary, but revolved on its axis, and that it travelled around the sun, not the reverse, the Church rejected these and other scientifically based ideas, and opposed them, and held to unscientific and superstitious notions.

Such conflicts between the Clergy and scientists in the past have resulted in many people, right up to our present day, thinking that science and the Bible contradict, giving the Bible a bad name. But this is not so; it was the Church that contradicted science, not the Bible. And the reason for this was because the Church did not know the Bible like it should.

It is now known that many basic facts relating to the major sciences, not known or discovered by science until the last few centuries, have been recorded and taught in the Bible for thousands of years. Such facts could not have been inspired by man and the Bible does not attribute them to man. It attributes them to the Holy Spirit, not the human spirit.

1. LONG BEFORE the Greeks concluded the earth was round and not flat, the Bible not only taught it was round, but also that the sea encircled it, and that the atmosphere curved around it like an arch. Isa. 40:22. Pr. 8:27. Job 22:14.

2. LONG BEFORE Copernicus and Galileo discovered that the earth revolved on its axis, and was not stationary, the Bible taught that it turned like clay on a potter's wheel, and that darkness is caused by the turning. Job. 38:14. King James Version. Jam.1:17.

3. LONG BEFORE man sailed around the world, and no one knew the full extent of the world's oceans, the Bible taught that all the seas in the world are connected and form one continuous ocean around the globe. Gen. 1:9-10 .

4. LONG BEFORE the advent of diving suits and submarines, when it was thought the ocean floor was a great level plain, the Bible taught that it consisted of mountains and valleys, and was as uneven as earth's land. Jonah 2:6. Job 38:16. 2 Sam. 22:16 .

5. LONG BEFORE it was thought possible that the vast oceans of the world could become polluted, the Bible prophesied that they would, resulting in all sea-life dying. Rev. 16:3.

6 . LONG BEFORE Sir Isaac Newton propounded his laws of motion and gravitation, when it was inconceivable that something as big and heavy as earth, could just hang in space, the Bible stated that it "HANGS ON NOTHING." Job 26:7.

7. LONG BEFORE man understood the water cycle, involving the process of evaporation, condensation and precipitation, the Bible taught it. Job 26:8. 36:27-28. 37:11. Ps. 135:7. Ecc. 1:7. Amos 5:8. 9:6.

8 . LONG BEFORE the invention of the telescope when it was believed that the definite number of stars that could be seen and counted with the naked eye were all that existed, the Bible taught that there were multitudes more, and compared the number with the grains of sand on earth's sea-shore. Gen. 22:17. Jer. 33:22. 31:37

9 . LONG BEFORE it was discovered that the sun is not stationary while the planets travel around it, but moves through space on a vast circuit, that takes over 200 million years to complete, taking the planets with it, the Bible taught it. Ps. 19:6.

10 . CONCERNING LIGHT, the Bible refers to it travelling in a "way" which means a travelled path or road. (Job 38:19).

Until the 17th century, it was believed that light was transmitted instantaneously. But science has since discovered that light is a form of energy called radiant energy, and that it travels in electromagnetic waves in a straight line or path at a speed of 186,000 miles per second.

11 . REFERENCE is also made in Job 38:19 to "the place of darkness," but up until the time of modern astronomy, it was hard to conceive how darkness could be a "place." Human knowledge and experience of darkness indicated it was a state, not a place.

This has all changed however, with the discovery of certain phenomena in space known as black holes. A black hole is caused by a star or galaxy collapsing into itself. Since light is composed of matter, it cannot escape the implosion. It is sucked into the centre, resulting in a "place of darkness."

12 . LONG BEFORE astrology was regarded as unscientific by astronomers, due to it being based on a faulty geocentric concept which originated back in the days when it was thought the earth was the centre of the universe, the Bible rejected it as a pseudo science, and condemned it because it distracted people from the true Word of prophecy in the Scriptures. Isa. 47:13-14. Dan. 2:27-28. 4:7-8. 5:7-12 .

13 . LONG BEFORE man understood that wind travels in a circular motion on a large and wide circuit, the Bible taught it. Ecc. 1:6.

14 . LONG BEFORE man understood that wind is air in motion, and that air has weight, the Bible stated it. But it was not until 1643 that Torricelli discovered it, resulting in the invention of the barometer. Job. 28:24-25 .

15 . LONG BEFORE it was comprehended that earth's air or atmosphere acts as a protective shield against meteorites, the Bible referred to it. Isa. 40:22. Job 37:18. Ps. 47:9.

16 . WHILE OTHER NATIONS in Biblical times held to unscientific views on meteors and treated them as objects of worship, the Bible rejected such notions and regarded them as foolish and superstitious. Jer. 10:2-3. Acts 19:35.

17 . LONG BEFORE the true relationship between lightning and thunder was understood, and when many superstitious and unscientific views were held, the Bible avoided such concepts and taught sober scientific truth. Job 28:26. Ps. 135:7.

18 . LONG BEFORE man knew anything about the ozone layer, and how depletion of it can cause the intensity of the ultra-violet light of the sun to increase and cause cancerous sores, the Bible warned it would happen in the end-time. Rev. 16:8-11 .

19 . FOR CENTURIES the Aurora remained a scientific curiosity and gave rise to all sorts of myths and superstitions, but the reference to it in the Bible is free from all unscientific speculation. Job 37:22.

20 . LONG BEFORE the microscope was invented, before it was discovered that snow is full of treasures of design and symmetry, each snow flake being a tiny six-sided crystal, with ever changing patterns, the Bible knew about it and mentioned it. Job 38:22.

21 . LONG BEFORE the advent of aviation when it was thought impossible for man to fly, the Bible predicted that he ultimately would. One prophecy refers to Jews being airlifted through the clouds back to their own land in Israel, from countries into which they were dispersed two thousand years ago. Our twentieth century witnessed the fulfilment of this after the holocaust. Isa. 60:8. (Deu. 28:49. Hab. 1:8. Ezk. 38:9, 16. Dan. 11:40).

22 . THE BIBLE not only prophesied that man would fly among the clouds, but also foresaw the space age when he would venture beyond into the high heavens. Isa. 24:21. Matt. 24:29. Heb. 12:25-27 .

23 . LONG BEFORE scientists appreciated that there are basically 5 fundamentals of science: Time, Force, Action, Space and Matter, the first verse in the Bible declared it: "In the beginning" (Time) "God" (Force) "created" (Action) "the heavens" (Space) "and earth" (Matter). Gen. 1:1.

24 . PRIOR TO Einstein's discovery of the law of relativity, that E=MC²(, which basically means that energy is the basis of matter, the Bible taught it, stating that the material universe was originally produced by Divine energy. Something cannot come from nothing, and the universe certainly did not. Jer. 32:17. In the New Testament the Greek word for God's power is "energia" (energy).

25 . LONG BEFORE science realized that matter is not being created on a continual basis, the Bible taught it. Gen. 2:1 says "the heavens and earth were finished." The word "finished" means an action completed in the past, without continuing effects into the future. Creation was "finished" - once and for all.

That is exactly the implication of the First Law of Thermodynamics (often referred to as the Law of Conservation of Energy/Matter), which states that in nature, neither energy nor matter can be created or destroyed.

26 . ACCORDING TO the Second Law of Thermodynamics, energy is becoming less and less available for use; everything is wearing out or running down. Theoretically, the universe will eventually experience its "heat death" - the point in time when there is no more available energy. There are several places in the Bible where it is stated that the earth, like a garment, is "wearing out." (Ps. 102:26. Isa. 51:6. Heb. 1:11). Scientists did not discover this fact until relatively recently. How could the Bible have known it?

27 . LONG BEFORE it was known what an atom is, and that the splitting of one causes a chain reaction resulting in a violent atomic explosion, the Bible knew about it and gave vivid descriptions of the effects of it, which were never understood until our nuclear age. The Bible plainly teaches that man would ultimately reach the stage of being able to exterminate all life on planet earth, and affirms that he would, were it not for divine intervention. In times past, prior to our nuclear age, many scoffed at these prophecies and rejected them as being unscientific. Today, not so many are laughing at them. 2 Pet. 3. Isa. 24:5-6. 25:1-5. Joel 2:2-3, 30. Zech. 14:12. Matt. 24:21-22. Rev. 11:18. Lk. 21:25-26. Rev. 13:13. 17:16 with 18:8-10, 17-21 .

28 . LONG AGO man could never have conceived of nuclear power stations, or an accident that could cause the radio-active core, which is like a miniature sun, to drop from its position above like a star, and melt its way down into the earth and contaminate rivers, resulting in huge loss of life. Yet, a prophecy in the Bible talks in these terms, and sounds like the Chernobyl catastrophe. If so, the worst is yet to come. Rev. 8:10-11 .

29 . OTHER BIBLE PROPHECIES relate to tanks, gunfire and even satellite T.V. How else could people in all nations around the world at the same time be looking at dead bodies lying in the streets of Jerusalem, as taught in the prophecy which relates to end-time happenings in the Middle East? In the past, this prophecy used to be regarded as impossible - unscientific. Not now! Joel 2:5, 10. Rev. 11:9.

30 . BEFORE THE INVENTION of the microscope, bacteria and viruses could not be seen, and therefore it was not known that they were the cause of sickness and disease. But the Bible knew about them, and therefore issued instructions in relation to hygiene, sanitation, quarantine, diet etc., which were radical and revolutionary at the time. Science now knows that these instructions are vital to prevent bacteria from causing sickness and disease. It is evident from many statements made in the Bible, that the author knew his bacteriology! Deu. 23:12-14. Lev. 11:29-40. 15:1-13. Num. 19:14-17. (Lev. 13 to 15: leprosy). Lev. 17:13.

31. LONG BEFORE it was known that disease-causing bacteria and viruses can get into the blood and be transmitted to anyone who eats or drinks it, the Bible strictly commanded Israel to abstain from doing so, even though other contemporary nations consumed it. Gen. 9:4. Lev. 3:17. 17:10-14.

32 . LONG BEFORE Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in mould. And it came to be used to combat bacterial infection, the Bible was on to it and administered it, supplying a key that could have been used for its discovery earlier if man had been more attentive to its writings. 2 Kng. 20. (Isa. 38).

33 . IN THE PAST, there was much misconception about conception. Right up to the 17th century it was thought that the male seed contained the entire embryo, and that the female was merely a nurse or incubator for that seed. It was not known that the female also had a seed that was much larger than mans. The Bible, however, from the very beginning refers to "the seed of the woman." Gen. 3:15.

34 . LONG BEFORE It was known that alcohol and pregnancy are not a good mix - that drinking during pregnancy can be harmful to the unborn child the Bible indicated it. In Judges 13:3-4 there is a reference to a woman about to conceive, being told not to drink alcohol during her pregnancy.

35. LONG BEFORE it was known that marriage between brothers and sisters and first and second cousins has a high risk of mental retardation, the Bible disallowed such marriages. (Lev. 18). It all has to do with the mixture of genes. How did the Bible know about the genes long before science knew they existed?

36 . IN BIBLICAL TIMES the Israelites were told to circumcise their male children on the 8th day. (Gen. 17:10-12. Lev. 12:3). Medical science only discovered in� the� 20th century that a male baby produces, from the 5th to the 7th day of life, the prothrombin vitamin K, which causes the blood to clot, preventing haemorrhaging. Significantly enough, it is only on the 8th day that this substance climbs above 100% of normal, reaching a maximum plasma level, making it the best and safest day for circumcision. How did the Bible know that?

37 . THE BIBLE TEACHES that the life of all flesh is in the blood, and that the "life" is "the breath of life," i.e. oxygen. (Gen. 9:4. Lev. 17:11-14. Gen 6:17). It is only within the last few centuries that science has discovered the truth of this. The air we breathe is collected from the lungs and delivered to the cells of the body by the red blood cells, which act like miniature gas cylinders.

Even in George Washington's day (18th century) this was not known because he died as a result of the medical treatment called "bloodletting," which was practised at that time, and involved opening a vein to bleed a patient. But the Bible knew it several thousands of years beforehand!

38 . THE APOSTLE PAUL stated in 1 Cor. 15:39 that there are four fleshes - those of men, beasts, birds and fishes. Today even evolutionists accept this as a recognized fact of science. These four fleshes are indeed different in their biochemical make up. How could Paul, a tent maker and preacher, have known that?

39 . IT IS STATED in Genesis chapter one that things reproduce "after their kind." This, of course, is no surprise to us today, because we understand genetics and laws of heredity, which ensure that things reproduce after their kind. But how could the Bible be so sure about this thousands of years before the science of genetics (which began in earnest in 1900)?

40 . IN ACTS 17:25 Paul states that it is God who gives all life. For centuries men have tried to create life through processes of spontaneous generation. Even after eminent scientists concluded that spontaneous generation is impossible, evolutionists still kept trying, so that their theory could be advocated as true. Yet, to date, no one has ever created life. Was it just a lucky guess on Paul's part that only God can create life?

41 . WHEN MAN thought the earth was flat and didn't know how thick it was, he was apprehensive about going too far down into deep holes or caves in case he dropped out the other side. But the Bible taught that no matter how long humans lived on the planet, and no matter how deep they ventured into the earth, they would never reach its foundation, let alone come out the other side.� Jer.� 31:37.

42 . LONG BEFORE geology became a specialized science and geologists traced a fault line through the Mount of Olives, immediately east of Jerusalem, the Bible predicted that an earthquake would split the Mount in half at the Second Coming of Christ. Zech. 14:4.

43 . MANY of the ancient nations, cities and kings etc. referred to in the Bible vanished without trace. For centuries there was no sign or evidence of them, causing critics of the Bible to conclude that the Bible made it up as it went along, and invented its own stories.

However, over the last century or so, the science of archaeology has come into its own, and many excavations have taken place, uncovering literally thousands of artefacts and inscriptions which confirm the Biblical writings.

So far, not a single thing has been found which contradicts Bible history. Some archaeologists started out as unbelievers, and, as a result of their discoveries, came to believe that the Bible is a true and accurate record. Some archaeologists have even ended up using the Bible to direct them to excavation sites!

44 . LONG BEFORE diet became a science, resulting in only a certain selection of animals, birds and fish being acceptable for public consumption, the Bible presented the same selection, with few exceptions, centuries before to Israel, when other nations were eating anything that crawled, ran, swam or flew. Lev. 11. Deu. 14.

45 . ONE OF THE exceptions in Israel's diet was pork. They were not allowed to eat this meat, and modern science has revealed the wisdom behind this. The pig can harbour two minute parasitic worms in its muscles which cause two serious diseases known as trichiniosis and cysticercosis if the infected meat is not cooked or frozen at a certain temperature. Those in ancient times did not know this but the Bible did.

46 . LONG BEFORE modern science realized that animal fat is a source of cholesterol and is a health hazard, the Bible refused to let Israel eat it, even though all other contemporary nations included it in their diet. Lev. 7:22-25.

47 . ONCE UPON A TIME it was thought that the only physical and mental effects of alcohol abuse was slurred speech, staggering feet and delirium tremens. Modern science now knows that it kills brain cells, causes enlargement of the heart, cirrhosis of the liver, lowers resistance to disease and can cause blindness. The Bible knew about the poisoning effect that excessive consumption of alcohol can cause, and declared that "in the end, it will poison the body like a snake" Prov. 23:29-32 .

In view of the sound and wholesome teaching the Bible gives on health, hygiene, diet etc., not to mention good moral values, which, if taken seriously, result in a healthier and happier life, it is such a tragedy that many who have not even read it, have been so critical of it, and discouraged others from respecting and reading it. In the past, millions have suffered unnecessarily because of this, and many others still do and will.

48 . TWO THIRDS of the Bible is prophecy. Many nations, mentioned by name, come within its scope, but Israel is the focal centre. After all, Israel was the nation Divinely chosen to be the channel through whom the Bible was given in the first place, and through whom the Messiah was to come. Israel is also the country to which all nations will be gathered in the end-time for the battle of Armageddon. And to which Christ will return to rule the world.

Bible Prophecy declared that before the end comes, the Jews would be uprooted from their land and be scattered into all countries in the world and suffer persecution. However, it also declared that in spite of persecution, no nation would ever succeed in exterminating them as a race, and that the preservation of their national identity would be a witness to the truth of the Bible.

The prophecies go on to say that prior to the battle of Armageddon and return of Christ, the Jews would be re-gathered to their land, become a nation again and repossess Jerusalem, their ancient capital. These developments have happened last century and are presented in the Bible as a sign or evidence to the world that the Bible is what it claims to be, the inspired Word of God, and can be believed and trusted. They are also presented as a sign that the old world order of man's mismanagement is soon to end, and a new Divine order is about to begin.

When all the amazing statements of science in the Bible are considered, it is not hard to see why it claims to be a Divine manual for mankind, inspired by an omniscient God.

The word "omniscience" comes from the words "omni" and "science" and means God knows all there is to know about science. The points previously mentioned certainly indicate this, not to mention many others.

The more that man has increased in scientific knowledge, the more the gap between science and the Bible has decreased. In the past, due to man's limited knowledge and intellect, some of the statements in the Bible seemed foolish and unscientific, and some still do.

In much the same way that in the past, when it was believed that the earth was flat and stationary, those who knew better and spoke to the contrary, were regarded as foolish and unscientific. Old and outdated ideas and convictions have always had a habit of dying hard!

Had people only one century ago been told what modern 20th and 21st century science and technology would discover and achieve, it would have seemed unscientific, and they would have found it hard to believe.

Time - much time has been required for man to discover and understand all the departments of science created by omniscient God, and the depth of it all hasn't been plumbed yet by any means. In the meantime, we should learn from history that not all things are what they seem, and truth often turns out to be stranger than fiction. Time has certainly proved that it is dangerous to condemn as unscientific, things taught in the Bible that have not been fully explored and understood by the science of the day.

When all the facts are taken into account, it is evident that believing the Bible does not require blind or mindless faith. There is sufficient evidence in it to form a very solid and substantial basis on which faith can be based. This is no ordinary book conceived by man, but a Divine handbook giving meaning, purpose and hope in life like no other book, philosophy or religion has been able to do.

This should be good news to those many people today who would like to believe it, in view of all the wonderful promises it gives in relation to eternal life. Living forever has always been the ultimate desire and ambition of science, but it is a blessing that only the omniscient God can give, through the atoning sacrifice of His Divinely begotten son, Jesus Christ. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, YOU CAN BELIEVE IT!

There is a saying that "if you don't stand for something, you can fall for anything." And, unfortunately, many today are falling for philosophies and religions that lack the seal of Divine authentication as a result of not standing on the Divinely authenticated Word of God. Others of course, have no philosophy and no religion - and no hope. But the Bible is ever with us to change all that for those who want to change, and it is never too late to change.

Is the Bible Scientific?